The Shut-In Prince’s Splendid Social Debut — Me, a Villainous Imperial, Have Spent the Last Fifteen Years Fighting the “Wicked Thoughts” Eating Away at My Mind. When I Finally Returned to High Society, There Were Way Too Many People I Didn’t Recognize — - Chapter 19: One-Way Ticket to Death

—”Demon Race.”

They are beings who inhabit the frozen land known as the “Northern Underworld,” located beyond the Great Northern Ridge of Daylago.

In ERT, the Northern Underworld is treated entirely as endgame content. You could even call it a treasure trove of DLC.

Incidentally, the first hunting ground beyond the Great Northern Ridge of Daylago is [The First and Last Paradise], where players can level up to around Lv. 120. The staging there, where the world expands even further after defeating the Last Boss, was quite well done. Even so, that is merely the prologue of the prologue.

————Eighth of the “Thirteen Apostles of the Northern Underworld,” Vahlen, the Phantasmal Sword.

The Demon standing before me was an existence that appeared far beyond several additional hunting grounds.

The “Thirteen Apostles of the Northern Underworld” were the highest-ranking enemies among the Demon Race hostile to the protagonist. If you want to understand how strong they are, the first step is simple—buy the DLC.

—The one that requires a minimum level of Lv. 290 just to access.

From that requirement alone, you should be able to imagine the strength of the monster standing before me.

“And goodbye—”

Vahlen extended one arm toward me, releasing a beam of purple light. It was the Demon Race magic known as [Annihilation].

“Crap.”

I moved instantly to evade, but the beam’s trajectory shifted in response to my movement.

(Tsk… that’s nasty.)

What was the name again… Ah, right—[Unavoidable – Trajectory of Annihilation]. It is a homing annihilation beam and an instant death technique that cannot be avoided unless your Agility reaches a certain threshold.

Naturally, even with my Agility equivalent to Lv. 90, I cannot evade it.

So—

“[Black Heaven Fortress].”

I instantly created a massive defensive wall of Dark Magic.

(…Thank goodness. At least it activates.)

This was the magic that manifested when I imagined the strongest possible defensive barrier in my head.

The magic collided.

“…No good.”

The shield began to crack, forcing me to jump aside immediately. The beam that broke through the barrier lost sight of its target and pierced the ground behind me, leaving a massive crater.

(That was dangerous.)

When I glanced toward Vahlen, he was staring at me with a surprised expression.

“…I am impressed. You are the first human who did not die from my magic. For a mere human, you seem promising.”

Apparently, I had been given praise.

Although that was hardly comforting.

“…In that case, how about letting me go?”

“No, no. There is no need to be so modest, Human. I am very interested in seeing how you cling desperately to life before eventually dying.”

I felt like clicking my tongue.

That is the nature of Demons.

They enjoy watching humans die like laboratory animals.

Especially this one—Vahlen.

He appears after defeating Founder Sarlon during the mid-stage and crushes the protagonist’s party with overwhelming power while ignoring their attacks entirely. The protagonists barely manage to retreat, but their Master becomes a victim.

Naturally, that scene caused quite a stir.

First of all, it was strange that Vahlen was overwhelmingly stronger than the Last Boss, and because the story never allows you to defeat him in the main campaign, players like me were forced to buy the DLC just to challenge him.

(This is really bad.)

Right now, I do not possess the power to defeat Vahlen, nor do I have a Master to support my retreat.

In the corner of the room, the silver-haired girl stood frozen, fear clearly visible on her face.

Fortunately, my [Spatial Transfer] had already finished its cooldown.

(If I touch Fryure, we might be able to escape together.)

The problem, however, was whether this guy would allow us to leave so easily.

“You seem concerned about that daughter carrying the blood of the Ancient Species. Is she your woman?”

“…No. A stranger.”

I pretended there was no connection, because if he believed she could be used as a hostage, things would become troublesome.

“—A lie. For some reason you appear very attached to that daughter who carries the blood of the Ancient Species. That is why you came here to interfere with my plan, is it not?”

“Tsk.”

…Exposed.

“Kuhu… Humans shine brightest when they lose something precious. Parents who lose a child, lovers who lose each other, survivors who lose their companions—at the moment of loss, people shine the most.”

Vahlen’s expression became ecstatic.

“And when I pluck that shining light—deeply, deeply—I feel satisfied.”

…You twisted freak.

“Now then, I wonder what kind of brilliance you will show before you disappear.”

Vahlen pointed his arm toward Fryure.

(—Looks like I have to commit.)

Using short-range teleportation, I moved behind Vahlen and took an iai stance.

“Mu… do you also possess a Teleportation Jewel?”

Apparently he sensed the teleportation.

Even so—

“[Strike Flash – Storm Strike].”

A reverse diagonal slash from torso to neck.

It was my full-powered strike—

“You move interestingly. Is this what humans call Sword Arts?”

—and he remained completely unharmed.

(…The blade didn’t even pass.)

Well, the level difference was obvious, and I probably lack the Anti-Demon effect that the protagonist and Naphna possess.

“My interest in you has suddenly grown. I would like to see more of those Sword Arts.”

If I could at least retaliate slightly, I could attach [Universal Glue] to him, and that alone would be worth it.

“—Ah, that reminds me. That thing was here.”

“[Servant, fight that human there with full power].”

Vahlen ordered Sarlon to attack.

At the same time, [Universal Glue] inside my head reacted and began analyzing something, giving me the same sensation as when it analyzed [Spatial Transfer].

——
Vahlen Blade-licht @ Kingshaven Outskirts
Undifferentiated Magic Detected
→ [■■■■] Activating… Progress… 0.1%
——

(This will take time.)

Apparently the analysis duration differs depending on the target.

At this rate, I will be dead before it finishes.

“CeRtaiNlY…!”

Meanwhile, Sarlon began moving under Vahlen’s order, his eyes turning black while an evil aura burst from his body. Earlier I shattered his weapon, so I wondered what he would do next.

“How dare you kill me! This power given by Apostle-sama—I will release it now!”

“—Spirit Armament, Manifest!”

Something erupted from him.

A sword emitting ominous light began growing from his right arm.

(So he already possessed an Artificial Spirit Armament.)

Tentacle-like appendages wriggled out to reinforce the sword while his flesh grotesquely swelled, transforming him into something no longer human.

“Guoooo! Power—!”

However, those words never finished.

“—No, I won’t allow that.”

Because I cut off his head.

Sarlon’s head rolled across the floor.

In ERT, there would be a transformation cutscene here, but reality does not wait for scripted drama.

(Honestly, I’m grateful I can turn him into experience points.)

The sensation of leveling up flowed through my body, and I realized something else as well—

I had reached the level cap.

While Vahlen stared coldly at Sarlon’s corpse, I opened my status window.

――――
Yoan Joachim Rodenze [Overcomer] Lv. 51 (Max 51)
Limit Break: Available
――――

(I knew it.)

This must be a power related to the [Overcomer], and if my guess is correct, I might be able to drastically change this battle.

(But can something this convenient really exist?)

My gamer instincts warned me about the risk of weakening.

(…No time to hesitate.)

Either way, I must act.

(Limit Break)

――――
Yoan Joachim Rodenze Lv. 1 (Max 52)
Limit Break: 2
All stats carried over
+100 bonus to all attributes
――――

My level reset to Lv. 1.

The number of Limit Breaks increased to two, and most importantly, all my stats carried over.

“Alright.”

Blood rushed to my head.

—I saw a path to victory.

Not a guaranteed victory, but a microscopic chance.

“Haa… what a waste. I wanted to see how strong a Spirit Armament created by humans could become.”

Vahlen sighed.

The Demon Race enjoys watching humans transform grotesquely through incomplete Spirit Armaments.

(Still… the Spirit Armament topic is dangerous.)

If there is a guaranteed losing route, it is forcing Vahlen to manifest his Spirit Armament.

If he begins to see me as a serious enemy, he will immediately use it.

Therefore, one condition must be maintained—

I must keep making him believe that I am insignificant.

“You wanted to see my Sword Arts, right? Then I’ll carve them directly into your body.”

“…Hoh? Bold for a human.”

Good.

Vahlen took the bait.

A sword of light formed in his hand.

“Then human—try striking me.”

In the next instant—

he vanished.

“Tsk!”

A presence appeared behind me.

“—If you can.”

Short-range teleportation.

I ducked instinctively as the light blade sliced through the air above my head.

A kick followed immediately.

I parried with my Treasure Sword.

“You… can see my attacks?”

A thrust came.

I dodged.

A cross slash followed.

I ducked again.

Another diagonal slash came.

I jumped aside.

“…You dodge this too?”

I exhaled slowly.

In this battle, even a single blink could determine life or death.

If I take one hit, I die.

Yet under that extreme pressure, my senses sharpened.

As long as the level difference exists, I must remain reactive, but even so I have managed to avoid fatal wounds thanks to reflexes and the experience gained from countless trials.

“[Spatial Transfer].”

I appeared behind Vahlen and swung my sword, but he deflected it instantly.

“—That trick will not work on me.”

My attack failed, returning the battle to square one.

Vahlen raised his hand again, and several annihilation beams formed.

(Area attack…!)

“[Black Heaven Fortress]!”

Multiple barriers appeared as I ran across the battlefield, unable to relax for even a single moment.

My mind and body were already screaming as fatigue slowly eroded my concentration.

“What does this mean…?”

Suspicion appeared on Vahlen’s face.

“My attacks…”

Another cross slash came.

I dodged.

“…Are you predicting them?”

(Almost time.)

He swung a horizontal slash.

I stepped forward.

“[Sword Wave: Storm Strike].”

The slash struck him directly, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.

“Haa… haa…”

(Did it work?)

Then applause echoed through the chamber.

When the dust cleared, Vahlen stood there completely unharmed.

And now—

he was inside my range.

“I have seen your Sword Arts.”

The level difference remained overwhelming.

My ability values were only slightly above Lv.100, nowhere near the required Lv.290.

“You have reached remarkable skill for a human. I respect that.”

Then Vahlen’s expression hardened.

“But unfortunately—you must die.”

His smile twisted.

“First, I will take that arm.”

His sword flashed.

My left arm flew into the air, spraying blood.

“Yoan-samaaaaa!”

Fryure screamed.

Vahlen laughed loudly.

He believed himself to be the strong one.

He believed I was powerless.

He never realized—

that this entire situation had been created by human malice.

That is called carelessness.

◇◇◇◇

“Fuhahaha! To endure losing an arm without screaming—impressive courage.”

Vahlen raised his sword again.

“Next, the right arm—hm?”

His words stopped.

His right arm did not move.

When he looked down, he saw that his right arm had vanished.

“What is this…?”

Then the rest of his body began disappearing.

“Wha… my body!”

I smiled.

“…What did you do to me?!”

“Who knows. But if I wanted even the slightest chance of winning, I needed to touch your body.”

“…What?”

This phenomenon resembled teleportation.

Earlier, when Vahlen cut off my arm, I had touched him with my remaining hand.

“I have no obligation to explain. I will guide you somewhere suitable for the final battle—Vahlen Blade-licht.”

“Tsk! How do you know my name?!”

Vahlen’s expression darkened.

He had never revealed his name to any human.

Did this human know from the beginning?

Impossible.

He had only crossed the Great Northern Ridge recently.

Suspicion gnawed at him.

The human he believed to be weak possessed knowledge he should not.

“Undo this technique! Where are you taking me?!”

My eyes glowed jade green.

“Accept it, Vahlen, because this is a one-way ticket to death for both of us.”

A jade-green light flickered within my eyes.

At that moment, Vahlen finally realized his mistake.

The existence before him was not merely human but something more fundamental, something that could even threaten his own throat.

Yet he refused to accept it.

(In the name of Vahlen, Eighth Apostle of the Northern Underworld—I will kill you.)

With that thought as his last—

Vahlen disappeared from that place.

Together with the existence he had finally acknowledged as an enemy.